The smallest size of apartment or flat is known as a studio and these are units that have one "living" space which would include a sitting area and sleeping area. The kitchen could be open plan or separate depending on the unit and it would have its own private bathroom and toilet facilities. Studios are ideal for single people or couples who don't want or need much space but prefer to have their own private facilities. Studios are considered an entry-level type of accommodation and they are the cheapest type of apartment. The alternative to a studio would be to rent a room in house/villa and have the use of shared facilities like the bathroom and kitchen and this is a cheaper option for those on a tight budget.
Properties advertised as fully furnished come with most or even all the furnishings that one would typically require in their home. This includes all the large kitchen appliances like cooker, fridge-freezer, oven, microwave etc. Some properties even provide smaller kitchen appliances like a kettle and toaster etc. The bedrooms would have wardrobes, beds with mattresses, dressing tables etc. and the living areas would have furniture like sofas, dining table and chairs, television, etc. In some cases, fully-furnished homes are also dressed with wall hangings, frames, mirrors etc, so that the home is ready to move into with little else being required to start living in straight away. This is a great convenience for many, especially those who are staying for a limited time or their tenure here in Qatar has not yet been fixed and their long-term situation is unknown.
The monthly rental on fully furnished properties as would be expected is more than other options where some or no furnishings are included and once the cost of furniture is factored in, one could end up saving overall as there are no extra costs to include. Of course, there are many things one must take into account like the duration of the tenancy, the condition of the furniture and the difference in the monthly/annual rental price.
Sometimes properties are advertised as fully furnished but if one really likes the property and has their own furniture etc., it is possible to try and negotiate a reduction in the monthly rental with the landlord or real estate company. The greatest convenience is that with a fully furnished property, once the rental duration comes to an end, there is no furniture to worry about when moving out and it is a lot easier to relocate.
Apartments are self-contained residential units occupying part of a larger building. They are usually set out on a single storey of a building and it is for this reason that in some regions (UK, India etc.) they are referred to as "flats". The term apartment is one that is used extensively in Europe, North America and places that use American English. The term "flat" is used in the UK, India and places that use British English. Apartments or flats have their own front door, kitchen, toilet and bathroom. In some countries a 1-bedroom apartment may be advertised as a 1bhk or 1bhk flat. The term "bhk" or "BHK" refers to bedroom, hall and kitchen. This means that the unit would have 1 bedroom, a hall (lounge/sitting room) and kitchen.
A compound apartment can be defined as an apartment that is located within a residential compound or "neighbourhood/society". Renting an apartment in a compound offers many benefits such as security, maintenance, swimming pool, gym, clubhouse with various facilities, children"s play area and other sporting facilities to name a few. Compounds vary in size, some are gated and others have the convenience of a mini supermarket for groceries, a restaurant or even a mosque. Not all compounds offer apartments for rent as some only have villas. There is a wide variety of compounds in Qatar that suit most budgets and have all kinds of amenities. It is worth asking the agent about any adverts you have seen and checking the amenities with them if you are looking for anything in particular, as sometimes agents do not list all the available amenities in a compound.
Qatar, officially known as the State of Qatar or "Dawlat Qatar" is a country occupying a small desert peninsula, spanning 11,627 square metres that extends northward from the larger Arabian Peninsula. It is precisely located on the west coast of the Persian Gulf, sometimes referred to as the "Arabian Gulf". The state is an independent emirate with the current Head of State and Government being Emir Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. Qatar has a population of approximately 3,000,000 (est. 2020) of which around 10% are local Qataris and the remainder are expatriates. Qatar has the highest GDP per capita in the world and not only is it officially recorded as the world's "Safest Country" (for low crime), but Doha the capital is ranked the second "Safest City" out of the 431 cities worldwide measured.
Only 1% of Qatar's population is rural with 99% being urban and coastal with a modern daily life. The recent leaders have sought to increase Qatar's presence worldwide and provide greater "civil liberties" and one example of such is through the establishment of one of the freest press agencies in the region. Qataris pride themselves on being a tolerant and accepting nation towards others and their beliefs, despite being a conservative and religious nation themselves. They are a welcoming nation and supportive of their large expatriate population and it is easy to see why Qatar appeals to so many.